Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cummings and the Director of Regional Health Services, Dr. Kay Shako recently paid an unscheduled visit to the New Amsterdam Drug Bond and found discrepancies.
According to a press release from GINA, these investigations were prompted by several letters in the press and complaints made to the ministry that an inadequate supply of drugs was being delivered to health facilities throughout Region Six.
Upon her visit, the minister found that despite a recent supply of drugs, there were still shortages.
“In terms of drugs, you know that is a big issue…we want to ensure that we are delivering health services more or less to the people, and we would like that improved,” Minister Cummings was quoted in the bulletin as saying.
The minister pointed out in the press release that there is currently an ongoing audit of the Materials Management Unit (MMU) and all other health facilities and drug bonds to ascertain the precise cause of countrywide drugs shortages and to have the issue addressed.
The press bulletin further noted that Combined Issued and Received Vouchers (CRIVS) that were sent to the MMU reflected significant discrepancies in the amount of drugs and medical supplies requested, issued and delivered, pointing to mismanagement and negligence of the persons involved in the processes of procuring, checking off and delivery of stocks.
“There are some discrepancies in terms of the distribution of drugs at it leaves the warehouse.
We have found that some of the drugs that were ordered sometimes it’s different from what is issued, and what has been received,” Cummings said.
According to the press bulletin, the positives that met with the minister’s approval included the information that funds are not an issue for purchasing drugs and medical supplies, and that the CRIVS sent to the MMU are efficiently completed contributing to a faster processing time of the requisitions.
The regional audits that are ongoing are expected to provide the Ministers of Public Health with the necessary information required to decide on the way forward towards correcting all loopholes within the drug procurement, management and distribution system, the release stated.
Reports of drug shortages have beset the APNU+AFC administration for several months. Minister of Public Health Dr George Norton was recently shifted to the Social Cohesion portfolio and he was replaced by Volda Lawrence, the former Minister of Social protection.
